PURLIE

By: Ossie Davis, Philip Rose, and Peter Udell
Lyrics by: Peter Udell
Music by: Gary Geld
Based on the Play “Purlie Victorious”
by Ossie Davis

March 6-23rd, 2025

Hamilton Stage, Rahway, NJ

Purlie is the rousing 1970 musical adaptation of Ossie Davis's comedic play Purlie Victorious about a traveling preacher who returns to his hometown in Georgia and concocts a scheme to reclaim his church and ring the bell of freedom for plantation workers.  ATG’s production was the first in the New York-area in 20 years.  With its unforgettable score,  Purlie  launched the careers of Melba Moore, Sherman Hemsley and Cleavon Little and is considered a landmark musical.

Directed by: Kenny Ingram

Musical Direction by: Gary Mitchell, Jr.

Cast: Aeja Barrows, LJ Brodie, Ryan Bronston, Kayla Ceasar, Berlin Lee Charles, Shaq Hester, Tyson Jennette* , Maya Mays, Nicole Powell *, Joshua Shepard, Tom Souhrada * , Lilliannie Arie Urgent, Timothy Ware-Hill* , Jasón Wells and Virginia Woodruff*

• Member of Actors’ Equity Association

Purlie was presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals (www.concordtheatricals.com) and sponsored in part by Merck.